LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: Grover C. Robinson, IV, Mayor
SUBJECT:
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SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET RESOLUTION NO. 2021-33 - LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUND (LETF) PURCHASES FOR THE PENSACOLA POLICE DEPARTMENT
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RECOMMENDATION:
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That the City Council adopt Supplemental Budget Resolution No. 2021-33.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND MAKING REVISIONS AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2021; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
The Law Enforcement Trust Fund was established by City of Pensacola to allow the Police Department the use of money and goods confiscated as a result of criminal activity. Florida State Statute 932.7055 as amended on July 1, 2016 details the circumstances confiscated goods may be used. The Federal Controlled Substance Act, Section 881 (e) (3) of Title 21, United States Department of Justice Guide to Equitable Sharing designates the uses of Federal Law Enforcement Trust Funds.
The Pensacola Police Department is requesting $5,000 be appropriated from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF) for the purpose of donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida.
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ nationwide initiative to recruit police officers as mentors for young people pays dividends for the officers, kids and communities where they live and work. At the National level, the program is known as “BIGS in Blue,” a well-timed response to increasing tension between law enforcement and the public. It is just the kind of grassroots effort the country needs to reset the adversarial dynamic. Over the past five years, the BIGS in Blue program has grown from just a few agencies to encompass nearly 1,800 matches at 105 agencies in 35 states. In Northwest Florida, we call the program “BIGS with Badges” and will include fire, EMS, corrections, state and federal departments along with police and sheriff’s departments. There is an identifiable problem with poor relations between police and communities and this program helps those that wear badges connect to the families they serve. Officers are not going into a neighborhood to make an arrest or deal with an emergency; they are going into a neighborhood to form a bond/friendship. The average match length for BIGS in Blue / BIGS with Badges is 31.7 months for Community-Based matches and 21.5 months for Site-Based matches, exceeding the minimum match length goal of at least 12 months.
The goal of the program is to match children with a “BIGS with Badges” mentor through a mixture of both Community and Site Based matches. We hope to assist in decreasing the number of youths referred for delinquency, positively impact children’s lives, help children build strong, trusting, lasting relationships with those wearing badges, help prevent children seeing law enforcement as the bad guys. Tensions have divided communities, in some cases, along racial lines. One-on-one interactions can make a difference and help to change the conversation. “BIG” will have weekly contact with their “LITTLE” at a minimum two times in person.
Funds for this request will go towards salaries, benefits and taxes, supplies, marketing, travel, postage, mentor liability insurance, and background screening.
PRIOR ACTION:
None
FUNDING:
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the Supplemental Budget Resolution will appropriate the funds in the Law Enforcement Trust Fund for these purposes. There is no impact to the General Fund.
LEGAL REVIEW ONLY BY CITY ATTORNEY: Yes
5/27/2021
STAFF CONTACT:
Keith Wilkins, City Administrator
Kevin Christman, Interim Chief of Police
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Supplemental Budget Resolution No. 2021-33
2) Supplemental Budget Explanation No. 2021-33
3) Letter of Certification
4) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida LETF Application
PRESENTATION: No end